John Dominic Crossan, professor emeritus at DePaul University, is a leading historical Jesus scholar and bestselling author. He reflects on his Irish Catholic heritage and its influence on his theological inquiry. The conversation dives into collaborative eschatology, underscoring human responsibility in justice. Crossan also addresses mythicist arguments about Jesus’ historicity and shares insights on creating an accurate Jesus film. He highlights the intersection of Paul's vision and modern science, teasing his future participation in Theology Beer Camp.
John Dominic Crossan emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context to make Jesus' teachings relevant to contemporary social issues.
The concept of collaborative eschatology suggests that humanity's active role is essential in shaping a just world alongside divine will.
Crossan highlights the need for a nuanced portrayal of Jesus in film that addresses political tensions and the complexities of his message.
Deep dives
Exploring Historical Context
The discussion highlights the significance of understanding the historical context of Paul and Jesus, emphasizing the transformative experiences that shape their teachings. The speaker reflects on personal experiences growing up in an Irish Catholic environment, illustrating how such experiences influenced their questioning and interpretations of biblical texts. They convey that this background allowed for a unique view of scriptures, free from fundamentalism, and greater openness to different interpretations over time. This historical perspective is crucial when analyzing how Jesus' messages can resonate within contemporary issues.
Collaborative Eschatology
The conversation shifts to the concept of collaborative eschatology – the idea that human agency plays a crucial role in shaping the world in partnership with divine will. This contrasts with traditional views that anticipate divine intervention in times of crisis. The speaker highlights that both John the Baptist and Jesus held differing views on eschatology, moving from passive waiting for divine action to an active collaboration with God to bring about change. This perspective suggests that the responsibility to foster a just world lies with humanity, challenging listeners to embrace their role in promoting social justice.
Addressing the Mythicist Argument
The speaker addresses the ongoing debate surrounding the historicity of Jesus and the argument from silence used by mythicists, who contend that Paul’s writings show a lack of connection to the historical Jesus. They articulate that understanding Paul's theology is vital for comprehending the essence of the historical Jesus, as Paul's work engages with the events surrounding Jesus’ life and teachings. The relationship between the execution and resurrection of Jesus is posited as central to understanding his significance for Christians, asserting that Paul viewed these events as profound revelations about divine justice and human civilization. This exploration demonstrates the intricate web of historical and theological considerations that must be navigated to grasp the context of early Christian thought.
The Evolution of Jesus Films
A thought-provoking question arises regarding how to portray a historically accurate depiction of Jesus in film. The speaker suggests that one approach could be to focus on Judas Iscariot and his motivations, highlighting the political tensions of the time and contrasting violent resistance with Jesus’ message of nonviolence. This narrative could explore the complexities of betrayal and resistance, ultimately reframing the story of Jesus within its broader sociopolitical context. Such a film would challenge traditional representations by emphasizing the political nuances of Jesus' message and the diverse responses it elicited from his contemporaries.
Conversations on Creation and Modernity
The speaker reflects on the relationship between biblical creation narratives and modern scientific understandings of evolution, suggesting that Paul’s writings can inform this dialogue. They propose examining the 'groaning of creation' mentioned in Romans as an invitation to engage with contemporary issues surrounding creation and our responsibilities within it. This idea encourages a re-examination of the Genesis narrative through the lens of evolution, proposing a sense of continuity between scripture and scientific developments. The integration of both perspectives can yield a richer understanding of our place in the world, fostering a constructive conversation between faith and science.
Legendary New Testament scholar John Dominic Crossan joined me in answering a bunch of different questions from the Homebrewed Community, and it was some serious nerdy fun! The conversation covers Dom's Irish Catholic heritage, his views on the historical Jesus, the impact of Roman imperialism on Jesus' ministry, the concept of collaborative eschatology, and a response to mythicist arguments regarding the historicity of Jesus. Additionally, Crossan provides insights into creating a historically accurate Jesus film, the role of archaeological discoveries in understanding the New Testament, and his reflections on the Jesus seminar. The episode wraps up with exciting future plans, including Crossan's participation in Theology Beer Camp, where he will explore the intersection of Paul's vision of the cosmos and modern scientific understanding. Don't miss this enlightening session filled with rich historical context and profound theological reflections.
John Dominic Crossan, professor emeritus at DePaul University, is widely regarded as the foremost historical Jesus scholar of our time. He is the author of several bestselling books, including The Historical Jesus, How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian, God and Empire, Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography, The Greatest Prayer, The Last Week, and The Power of Parable. He lives in Minneola, Florida.
A Five-Week Online Lenten Class w/ John Dominic Crossan
Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.
Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.
